Waterfalls in Srilanka
The Waterfalls of Sri Lanka are breathtaking and rich in beauty. Waterfalls have been a magnificent gift of nature, which have attracted human beings since the beginning of time.Sri Lanka has the largest number of waterfalls in comparison to its size of any given country. Waterfalls are most commonly found in the hill country, mainly closer to towns in the Central Province ; Kandy, Hatton, Nuwaraeliya, Ramboda, Thalawakele and Kegalle. Ratnapura, Yatiyantota, Pelmadulla, Belihuloya, Kitulgala, Maliboda and Bulathkohupitiya in Sabaragamuwa Province. Wellawaya and Badulla in Uva Province, and Kalutara in Western Province. The main three geographical factors which need to be formed of water are:
1. The sharp up thrust of the earth’s surface.
2. Water flow over a hard surface which can resist erosion for a longer time.
3. Plenty of rainfall.
Bambarakanda Ella Falls The height is 241m. This is the tallest waterfall in the island. It flows from the Horton plains formed by the Uduweriya Haputale mountains’ Kuda Oya. Bambarakanda Falls is situated in Handumulla in the Badulla District. You can reach from A-4 road, the Colombo - Badulla highway, turn left for Weerakoon village and proceed 5km to the fall. The road is narrow and has to be driven carefully. Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended.
Bambarakande is taller than the famous Diyaluma falls which is only 20 metres but thought to be the tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka. The Diyaluma or Diya Haluma collects its water from the Poonagala Oya in the vicinity of Koslanda and Wellawaya Located six miles from Koslanda and 13 miles from Wellawaya, its waters originate from the Mahakande Pass in Koslanda You can see this waterfall if you stop a while on your way to Haputale and detour
The height is 40m. The Bopath Falls cascades in the shape of a leaf of a Bo tree. Bopath Falls is in Kuruwita in the Ratnapura District. You can reach here from Colombo to Ratnapura (A4 road) and turn left along Devipahala road. This is a famous place for local tourists. Bopath Ella Restaurant is just by the side of the fall.
Being within 3 hours drivingdistance from the capital, it thus claims the honour of having the highest turn-over of enthusiasts seekingrespite from the grimy and monotonous town life.
Nevertheless, it has the notorious reputation of devouring its visitors off and on who , attracted by the surroundings ,indulge in over-enjoyment .Here again, the falls take the shape of a "Bo" leave ( "Bo" tree is a sacred tree here ) from which the name has been derived.
The height is 171m, this is the third highest fall in Sri Lanka.
Located in the dry zone, fed from the Punagala oya, a tributary of Kirindi Ganga, which flows to the sea at Thissamaharamaya. This is very close to the A-4 road between Koslanda and Wellawaya (205 – 206 Km).
With an appearance and location which often make people believe that it is the highest waterfall in the isle, this lanky "Diyaluma" waterfall pours its way down and flows towards Kirindi Oya underneath a bridge on the highway from Beragala to Wellawaya. The extent of water spilt downwards is so great during the rainy season that it makes amends for the monotonously undisturbedwater trunk falling from head to foot with no intermediate cascade whatsoever. Its geographical location by one of the mostly used Highways spanning the Hill Country to the Plains speaks for its reputation not only here but in other parts of the world as well.
The height is 63m. This beautiful water fall of Badulu Oya, is situated close to Badulla, off Badulla – Mahiyanganaya road. You will have to walk about two Km to the waterfall.
"Dunhinda" is one of the mostly spoken-about waterfalls in Sri Lanka.
Although she couldn't come even close to the highest waterfalls of the planet in height she rivals many of them when it comes to the natural beauty that it bestows on the environment. Situated about 2 km distance from the main road which runs to Taldena from the remote city Badulla in the Uva Province this is easily accesible and frequently visited by local and foreign visitors.
On the way can be seen the "Kuda Dunhinda" ( "Kuda" means small in Sinhala) which is the prologue to its mighty brother .
In native tongue "Dun" means mist or vapour which is the ideal explanation for a waterfall creating wreathes of mist on its way down.
Lakshapana Falls
The height is 129m. “Lakshapana”- was the first hydroelectric project in this country, meaning “a 100,000 bulbs” You can reach here from A 7 Road between Kitulgala and Hatton. The most convenient route is the Hatton - Maskeliya road. Take this road for 18km from Hatton, off a footpath leads to Pathana village and from there to the fall. The other route is the Laksapana road from the Kaluganga River junction for 14km to the Lakshapana Temple, it is just 2.5km from here. The fall is 660m above sea level.
Rawana Ella Falls
Situated in the Dry zone off Welimada this beautiful water fall is a continuous stream of life to the villagers. It provides much needed water for the cultivation of vegetables, their main income. The life-line role of this tiny, yet beautiful waterfall is seen when we first arrived the village. While the surrounding mountains were dirty and dry this particular mountain was greenish and cultivated. According to villages the water of this stream has to be protected from smugglers day and night and for that they have " a shift duty".
Wavulpane Falls
The height is 45m. This fall is in the Wavulpane Subterranean limestone cavern which had been formed 500 million years ago. This is one of nature’s unique creations. This cave has became a home for millions of bats.The cave is 135m in length.
You can reach from Pelmadulla - Embilipitiya for 15km, from there to Wavulpane
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